AIKEN, S.C. - The No. 7/13 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team registered a 14-0 victory over visiting Paine Wednesday evening in a non-conference contest.

The Pacers improve to 23-5 on the season while the Lions fall to 16-11.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back. Skylar Mercado led off the bottom of the first when he was hit by a pitch. With one down, he swiped second base. Zach Moon roped a single to right field with two away, allowing Mercado to cross home plate. Max Schoen followed him up with a double to the gap for a 2-0 advantage.

USC Aiken increased the margin to 12-0 after a 10-run third inning.

Brian Parreira led off the stanza with a long, solo shot over the right field fence. Moon walked and hustled to second on a wild pitch. He was able to trot home when Schoen lifted one over the left field wall for a 5-0 margin. With one down, Nile Goings launched a solo homer.

An error allowed Douglas Ard to reach base safely. Tyler Ammerman was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Mercado's deep single loaded the bags. A wild pitch plated Ard prior to Mitchell Price reaching on an error, allowing Ammerman to cross home plate.

Parreira came back to the plate, drawing a base on balls to load the bags. Moon quickly allowed everyone to take their time coming home after blasting a grand slam over the left field wall for the 12-0 lead.

Preston Dawson reached on an error to lead off the fifth inning. He promptly came home on Luke Westerberg's two-run smash for a 14-0 margin. USC Aiken threatened to add more to the lead, but the squad was unable to push any more across home in the frame.

For the game, Connor Riley picked up the victory, moving to 3-1 on the season. He started the game and worked the first two frames, striking out three while allowing just one hit. Trevor Hutto tossed two scoreless innings, striking out three. Bryse Buster and Blake Cantrell each notched an inning of scoreless ball as did Hunter Hubbard. 

Moon led everyone with five RBI. Schoen notched three RBI while Westerberg accounted for two RBI. Schoen had a team-high three hits. Moon, Goings and Mercado each had a pair of base hits.

Moon led everyone by scoring three runs. Mercado and Parreira each crossed home plate twice. 

The contest was shortened to seven innings due to the mercy rule. 

The Pacers return to action Friday night when they host Montevallo at 6 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.